Sutherland District Group

Events and Latest News

7:00pm, Wednesday 16 April 2025: APS Sutherland monthly meeting.

Early years of the Royal National Park with John Arney

John Arney is the activities coordinator for our Sutherland APS Group, a committee member of Friends of Royal, a Bushcare volunteer in the Royal National Park, a Coastal Cabin Community Landcare volunteer, a committee member of the Helensburgh and District Historical Society and a shack owner at Bulgo Beach. In addition to an interest in native plants and a commitment to weed control in the Park, random contact with signs of historic occupations have stimulated within him an interest in the Park’s historic past.

John will present to us on the circumstances that preceded the reservation of the “National Park” in 1879, with a little of the Park’s early history, including an incident that ended the political life of the “father” of the Park, Sir John Robertson.

After the talk, we’ll have our plant table segment which showcases native plants in Shire gardens at this time of year. Bring along a specimen of your own and have it identified. For this month let’s try to emphasise Bush food plants you have growing in the Sutherland area. Feel free to accompany specimens by submitting photos for the newsletter.

Join us at our monthly meeting

Following the talk, we will have a raffle and supper.

Free – Visitors welcome. Gymea Community Hall, 39 Gymea Bay Rd, Gymea.

7:00pm, Wednesday 21 May 2025: APS Sutherland monthly meeting.

Rainforest restoration with Richie Dimon

Upcoming events

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APS NSW AGM and Quarterly Gathering, Hosted by the Menai Wildflower Group

When
17 May 2025

10:00 AM

Location
The Illawong Fire Station 999 Old Illawong Road Illawong 2234

Join APS NSW for our Quarterly gathering hosted by the Meni Wildflowers Group.

Program

10:00 am – 12:00 noon: Choice of Activities

1. Visit to the Menai Wildflower Garden (MWG)
Located at the fire station, this magnificent garden is a tribute to the wonderful efforts of the Menai Group members over 20 years.

2. Guided Bushwalk – Drive Barden Ridge Playing Fields
Join members of the MWG for a guided local walk, starting at the end of Recreational Drive, Barden Ridge playing fields. The walk follows relatively flat fire trails and is about 2.5 km return, with some uneven surfaces. Along the way, we will discuss the local flora and share insights into the area's European history.

12:00 – 1:00 pm: Lunch
The MWG garden will be set up with chairs and tables for those wishing to enjoy lunch at the fire station, where the meeting will be held.

Alternatively, the picnic tables and old wharves of Albert De Lardes Reserve offer a lovely lunch spot for those carrying their lunch on the walk.

Lunch can be purchased from Illawong shops on Fowler Rd, only a five-minute drive from both the walk destination and the MWG garden. It is optional to bring your own lunch.

Plants will also be available for sale at the MWG nursery at the fire station.

1:00 – 3:00 pm: AGM and Talk – Illawong Fire Station

1:00 – 1:30 pm: APS NSW AGM

1:30 – 3:00 pm: Talk by Professor Mark Ooi and an associate, followed by afternoon tea.
An outline of Mark’s talk is to be confirmed.

About the Speaker:
Mark Ooi is a Senior Research Fellow based at the Centre for Ecosystem Science, part of the School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences at UNSW. His research interests include fire and plant (particularly seed) ecology. Much of his work focuses on understanding the mechanistic responses of plant populations to fire regimes, threatened species conservation, and the effects of climate change.
Courtesy: UNSW Staff Profile – Mark Ooi

$5 entry by card only (no cash accepted).

Annual General Meeting - Agenda

Our 2024 Annual Report is here & finanical statements can be found in the member only section of the website

To send your apologies, please email: office@austplants.com.au

Please email any financial questions by Friday 2 May 2025 and we will provide responses at the AGM.

Nominations for board positions

We welcome new board members, and non-board members, to assist with running the Society. If you'd like to join the board or wish to nominate someone, please contact President John Desmond to discuss what's involved.
The form here needs to be completed and returned by Friday May 2 2025

Proxy voting

If you cannot attend the AGM, and would like to nominate a proxy for your vote, please complete the Proxy form here and return by Friday 2 May to office@austplants.com.au

Show details

Secretary: Leonie Hogue – 0416 286 083
sutherland@austplants.com.au